Inhalation device including substance usage controls

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including a first cartridge, a sensor, and a controller. The first cartridge can include a first release device configured to release a first substance into a housing. The controller can be configured to receive data from the sensor. The controller can determine an amount of first substance released by the first cartridge based on the data. The first release device can be controlled based on the determined amount of first substance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/460,982, filed May 1, 2012, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/215,728, filed Aug. 23, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No.8,550,069), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/402,136, filed Aug. 24, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of smokeinhalation devices and more particularly to control mechanisms for smokeinhalation devices.

Smoke inhalation devices, commonly known as e-cigarettes, can be used tosimulate a cigarette or a cigar. For example, a smoke inhalation devicecan vaporize a liquid including nicotine. A user of the smoke inhalationdevice can inhale the vapor and have an experience similar to smoking atraditional cigarette or cigar.

SUMMARY

One illustrative embodiment is related to an apparatus including a firstcartridge, a sensor, and a controller. The first cartridge can include afirst release device configured to release a first substance into ahousing. The controller can be configured to receive data from thesensor. The controller can determine an amount of first substancereleased by the first cartridge based on the data. The first releasedevice can be controlled based on the determined amount of firstsubstance.

Another illustrative embodiment is related to a method for metering aninhalation device. The method can include receiving data from a sensor.An amount of a first substance released by a first cartridge can bedetermined based on the data. The first cartridge can include a firstrelease device configured to release the first substance into a housing.The first release device can be controlled based on the determinedamount of first substance.

Another illustrative embodiment is related to a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, ifexecuted by a computing device, cause the computing device to performoperations for metering an inhalation device. The method can includereceiving data from a sensor. An amount of a first substance released bya first cartridge can be determined based on the data. The firstcartridge can include a first release device configured to release thefirst substance into a housing. The first release device can becontrolled based on the determined amount of first substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of itsscope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity anddetail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a section view of an inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of an inhalation device control system inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of the inhalation device control system of FIG. 2with additional sensors in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a first inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a second inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a third inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a fourth inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a fifth inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a sixth inhalation device in accordance with anillustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and make part of this disclosure.

The present disclosure is directed to an inhalation device including asubstance usage control mechanism. The inhalation device can comprise ahousing to hold and contain parts, at least one cartridge containing asubstance such as nicotine, at least one releasing device such as aheater or an atomizer to work with the cartridge, a power source such asa battery, and a controller. The controller can collect data and controlthe cartridge and the releasing device to deliver a predetermined amountof the substance to the user. The inhalation device can be a longcylindrical shape similar to a cigarette or cigar. Advantageously, theinhalation device can control and/or limit amount of substance deliveredthe usage to help the user limit the consumption of a certain substancesuch as nicotine. Advantageously, the inhalation device can controland/or limit amount of substance delivered such that a user can set alimit on an intake amount of the substance per use or for a certainperiod by the user. Advantageously, the inhalation device can receiveand transmit data related to settings and usage. Advantageously, theinhalation device can monitor an amount of substance delivered to auser.

Referring to FIG. 1, a section view of an inhalation device 100 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The inhalationdevice 100 can include a housing 112, a first cartridge 114, a secondcartridge 116, a power source 122, a controller 124, a communicationdevice 146, and a light device 126. In other embodiments, one or anynumber of cartridges can be used.

The housing 112 can be a long cylindrical shape, for example, the shapeand size of a cigar, cigarillo, or cigarette. In other embodiments, theinhalation device 100 can be configured as other smoking or vapordelivery articles such as a hookah, a pipe, an inhaler, or a humidifier.The housing 112 can include an outlet hole 128 at a first end (i.e., amouth end), where a user can place his lips to breathe in vapor or gasgenerated by inhalation device 100. The housing 112 can include an inlethole 130 to allow air to enter the housing 112 when a user sucks on thefirst end. The housing 112 can be made of paper (e.g., paper rolled upin tubular shape), plastic, metal, wood, glass, or any other material.

The first cartridge 114 can be configured to retain and release a firstsubstance such as nicotine. For example, the first cartridge 114 caninclude a medium such as a cotton fabric or a comparable material rolledup or shaped to fit inside housing 112. The cotton fabric can be soakedwith the first substance. The first substance can include any drug,scent, transport agent, coloring, or a combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the first substance is configured such that the substancecan be vaporized or gasified. The first cartridge 114 can include afirst release device 118. The first release device 118 can be embeddedin or placed near the medium of the first cartridge 114. The firstrelease device 118 can include one or a combination of a heatingelement, a vibration generator such as an ultrasonic or a piezoelectrictransducer, an atomizer, or any other actuator to energize particles ofthe first substance such that the particles are released from the firstcartridge 114 into a gas form or microscopic droplets that can becarried off by air stream, for example, an airstream between the inlethole 130 and outlet hole 128. The first release device 118 can beconfigured to control or meter the amount or rate of first substancereleased from the first cartridge 114. In some embodiments, theinhalation device includes a single cartridge.

The second cartridge 116 can be configured to retain and release asecond substance such as a scent. For example, the second cartridge 116can include a medium such as a cotton fabric or a comparable materialrolled up or shaped to fit inside housing 112. The cotton fabric can besoaked with the second substance. The second substance can include anydrug, scent, transport agent, coloring, or a combination thereof. In oneembodiment, the first substance and the second substance are differencesubstances. In another embodiment, the first substance and the secondsubstance are the same substance. In one embodiment, the secondsubstance is configured such that the substance can be vaporized orgasified. The second cartridge 116 can include a second release device120. The second release device 120 can be embedded in or placed near themedium of the second cartridge 116. The second release device 120 caninclude one or a combination of a heating element, a vibration generatorsuch as an ultrasonic or a piezoelectric transducer, an atomizer, or anyother actuator to energize particles of the second substance such thatthe particles are released from the second cartridge 116 into a gas formor microscopic droplets that can be carried off by airstream, forexample, an airstream between the inlet hole 130 and outlet hole 128.The second release device 120 can be configured to control or meter theamount or rate of second substance released from the second cartridge116. The first cartridge 114 and the second cartridge 116 can bearranged such that the airstream passes over and/or through both thefirst cartridge 114 and the second cartridge 116. In other embodiments,the inhalation device can include multiple cartridges.

The power source 122 can provide power to the first cartridge 114, firstrelease device 118, the second cartridge 116, second release device 120,the controller 124, the communication device 146, and the light device126. The power source 122 can be a battery such as an alkaline battery,a nickel metal hydride battery, a lithium-ion battery, a rechargeablebattery or any other energy source. In other embodiments, the powersource 122 can be external to the housing 112.

The light device 126 is configured to simulate the burning on the tip ofa cigar or cigarette. The light device 126 can include a light emittingdiode (LED), a resistance-type lamp, an organic light emitting diode(OLED), or any other light emitting device. The light device 126 can beconfigured to vary intensity based on the amount of airflow between theinlet hole 130 and outlet hole 128.

The controller 124 can be configured to control the first release device118, the second release device 120, the communication device 146, thepower source 122, and the light device 126. The controller 124 can beoperatively and communicatively coupled to the first release device 118,the second release device 120, the communication device 146, and thelight device 126. The controller 124 can be a processor such as acentral processing unit, an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a state machine or any other controller. The controller 124 caninclude memory which can be any type of permanent or removable computermemory known to those of skill in the art. The memory of controller 124can be a computer-readable storage medium. The controller 124 caninclude software for controlling the first release device 118, thesecond release device 120, the communication device 146, and the lightdevice 126, which can be implemented as computer-readable instructionsconfigured to be stored on the memory of controller 124.

The communication device 146 can be configured to allow a user to changeand monitor the settings and state of the inhalation device 100. Forexample, in one embodiment, communication device 146 can be used toreprogram a part of the control logic of controller 124 to limit theusage of the inhalation device 100. The communication device 146 caninclude at least one of a switch, a keypad, a display, an input/outputport, and a wireless transceiver. In one embodiment, the input/outputport and the wireless transceiver can be employed to create acommunications link between the controller 124 and an external computer,such as a cell phone or personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 2, a schematic of an inhalation device control system200 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. Theinhalation device control system 200 can include a first release device218 associated with a first cartridge 214, a second release device 220associated with a second cartridge 216, a power source 222, a controller224, a timer 248, a counter 242, sensors 240, a communication device246, and a light device 226. The controller 224 can be operatively andcommunicatively coupled to the first release device 218, the secondrelease device 220, the power source 222, sensors 240, the communicationdevice 246, and the light device 226. The inhalation device controlsystem 200 can be, for example, discrete, integrated as a chip, or aprinted circuit board assembly.

The first cartridge 214 and second cartridge 216 may each contain aunique substance or a mixture of two or more substances and the mixturecomposition for one cartridge is different from another. For thisreason, the first release device 218 and the second release device 220can each be operated in a unique way to optimize the effect of thesubstance for the user. Furthermore, different techniques can beemployed for releasing the substances of different cartridges.

Sensors 240 can be, for example, a flow sensor, a thermocouple orpressure sensor to detect the air stream passing through the device or agroup of sensors to detect any one of or a combination of airflow,temperature change, pressure change, illumination of light, currentchange, voltage change, and other physical and electrical properties.Sensors 240 can be located within or on a housing associated with theinhalation device control system 200.

The controller 224 can be configured to control and monitor the firstrelease device 218, the second release device 220, sensors 240, thecommunication device 246, the power source 222, and the light device226. The controller 224 can be a processor such as a central processingunit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a state machineor any other controller. The controller 224 can include a memory 280which can be any type of permanent or removable computer memory known tothose of skill in the art. The memory 280 of controller 224 can be acomputer-readable storage medium. The controller 224 can includesoftware for controlling the first release device 218, the secondrelease device 220, the communication device 246, and the light device226, which can be implemented as computer-readable instructionsconfigured to be stored on the memory 280 of controller 224.

The communication device 246 can include at least one of a switch 271, akeypad 273, a display 250, an input/output port 277, and a wirelesstransceiver 279. The input/output port 277 can be, for example, a serialport. The wireless transceiver 279 can be, for example, a Wi-Fitransceiver compliant with the IEEE 802.11 standard or a Bluetoothtransceiver.

In one embodiment, the switch 271 can be a simple manual switch on ahousing for sending reprogramming instructions to the controller 224 byclicking the switch 271 (e.g., clicking the switch five times with theclicking speed at one click per second or faster can reprogram thecontroller 224 to allow five puffs in a given period and then turn thedevice off). In another embodiment, the switch 271 can be a dial locatedon or in the middle of the housing for sending reprogramminginstructions to the controller 224 such that by turning the dial theuser can set the limit amount of the substance to be taken or inhaled.The dial switch can also be a section of the housing itself. In anotherembodiment, the switch 271 can be a shock or sound sensor such as amicrophone for the user to tap for sending reprogramming instructions tothe controller 224. The user can give the device taps at certain speedto set a desired amount of the substance to intake or inhale in a givenperiod. In another embodiment, the switch 271 can be a light sensor todetect energy emitted by a laser, infrared, or other visible orinvisible light source. Reprogramming instructions to the controller 224can be on or off signals from the light source.

The user may use communication device 246 to reprogram the limit valuein the controller 224. For example, a simple form of communicationdevice 246 can be a manual switch the user can press or turn on oraround the housing. By clicking or turning the switch manually, the usercan change the limit setting in the controller 224. For example, byclicking the switch four times with a frequency of 1 Hz or higher, theuser can smoke one cigarette equivalent worth of substance in each cycleor 10 each time, and clicking the switch two times will give a halfcigarette worth of substance in each cycle. If the manual switch is adial switch on the housing, the dial setting can set the limit. Forexample, the dial has indicator lines around it on the non-movingportion of the housing, and setting the dial at one can be equivalent toone cigarette dose per cycle and setting it to one half means a half ofa cigarette dose.

The display 250 can be located on within or on the housing associatedwith the inhalation device control system 200. The display 250 can showmessages indicating the usage to help the user keep track of his use ofthe device. The display 250 can be, for example, a light, a series oflights, a segmented display or a pixelated display. The display 250 canbe made, for example, of LEDs, a LED panel, a liquid crystal display, agroup of small light bulbs, or electronic ink. The display 250 candisplay indications to the user, for example, as letters, dots, symbols,a series of lines, figures, pictures, shapes or signals. The display 250can be monotone or multi-colored.

The display 250 can indicate the usage level for the user to monitor theuse of the device and can send out messages to encourage the user to cutdown on the use based on the progress he or she makes. A display messagecan include a number of cigarette equivalents used or left on theinhalation device control system 200, a number of puffs (i.e., drags)used or left on the inhalation device control system 200, and it caninclude a real time display of a number of puffs the user is allowed totake in each cycle as he or she uses the inhalation device controlsystem 200. This way the device alerts the user, as he or she uses it,how many cigarette equivalents he or she is taking in a given periodsince using the same device for a long time may lead the user to a falsesense of the substance usage. For example, the inhalation device controlsystem 200 with a full first cartridge 214 and second cartridge 216 canbe equivalent to one pack of cigarettes and the display 250 can clearlyindicate the number of cigarette equivalents or puffs left in the firstcartridge 214 and second cartridge 216 as he or she uses the inhalationdevice control system 200.

The timer 248 can be configured to measure an amount of the substancedisbursed and/or to meter a predetermined amount of the substance to auser. The timer 248 can be separate from or integrated with controller224. The timer 248 can be configured to measure, for example, the amountof time elapsed between user puffs, the amount of time the first releasedevice 218 and the second release device 220 are activated, and the timebetween uses.

The timer 248 can be configured to measure an amount of the substancedisbursed and/or to meter a predetermined amount of the substance to auser. The timer 248 can be separate from or integrated with controller224. The timer 248 can be configured to measure, for example, the amountof time elapsed between user puffs, the amount of time the first releasedevice 218 and the second release device 220 are activated, and the timebetween uses. The timer 248 can be activated, for example, by an airflowsensor or a pressure switch. The timer 248 can be configured to measurea duration of a puff while the sensors 240 are activated.

The counter 242 can be configured to count a number of puffs taken pergiven period by a user. The counter 242 can be separate from orintegrated with controller 224. The counter 242 can be configured tomeasure, for example, a number of puffs taken by a user during a smokingsession, a day, a week, a month, or any other time period. The counter242 can be activated, for example, by sensors 240.

For a more precise control of the amount of the substance allowed in agiven period, timer 248 can be used to time the airflow through thedevice. Each time sensors 240 such as a flow sensor or a pressure switchare activated by the airflow, timer 248 can measure the duration of theairflow and the time for duration can be accumulated in a given periodto activate a limit feature according to a substance distribution limitset in the control logic. Also counter 242 can be used to count thenumber of activations of sensors 240.

Counter 242 and timer 248 can provide usage data on the number of puffsper given period and timer 248 can provide both time duration of airflowfor each puff and total time accumulated for the airflow over a givenperiod. Therefore, when the substance distribution limit is set by theuser or preset by the factory, the limit can be set on the actual amountof the substance in terms of total time allowed for airflow within agiven period for use, not just an allowable number of puffs. Since anamount of airflow for a puff is different from person to person, settinga number of puffs as a limit can allow different amount of the targetedsubstance delivered to each different user or even to a same userdepending on duration of each and every puff. Therefore, using timer 248to monitor the usage along with counter 242 can provide a more accurateestimate of the measurement of the total airflow.

The inhalation device control system 200 can come with a factory settingfor the allowable amount of the substance contained in the cartridges(214, 216) to be released. Different users have different usage habits:One person may prefer long hard puffs and another person may like shortshallow puffs. A person having long hard puffs usually finishes acigarette in a less number of puffs than the person having the shortshallow puffs. For this reason, the amount of substance allowed can beset as total duration time that is a time accumulation value of thetotal puffs in a given period. Another sensor such as a current sensorfor the releasing means or the power source or a flow sensor with theair speed measurement can be applied to estimate the quantity of thesubstance use whenever the user draws the air through the device, andthis information can be used along with the timer to calculate the moreaccurate amount of the substance use. Once the limit value as the timeaccumulation is set, timer 248 measures the duration of each puff andsend the data to the control logic in controller 224 and controller 224accumulates and compares the accumulated data with the set limit value.Once the accumulated time value or the value calculated from acombination with the accumulated time and the data of the quantity ofthe substance from the sensor reaches or goes over the limit value,controller 224 turns the inhalation device control system 200 off ormakes the inhalation device control system 200 go into a low level modein which the inhalation device control system 200 releases the substanceat a lower rate than during the earlier period. The limit value can beset with cycles. For example, once the device is on, the user can beallowed a first set time limit for the total duration time of puffswithin five minutes that is roughly equal to smoking one cigarette, andwithin a given period such as twelve hours or a day, the user can beallowed to use the inhalation device control system 200 a set number oftimes. Once the limit is reached controller 224 can turn off thereleasing means (218, 220) to stop the substance flow to the user untilthe next cycle begins after non smoking time expires between twoconsecutive cycles or controls the releasing means (218, 220) such thatthe substance flow to the user is more limited per puff until the nextcycle begins.

Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic of the inhalation device control system200 of FIG. 2 with additional sensors in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment is shown. The inhalation device control system 200 caninclude a first release device 218 associated with a first cartridge214, a second release device 220 associated with a second cartridge 216,a power source 222, a controller 224, a timer 248, a counter 242,sensors 240, a communication device 246, and a light device 226. Thecontroller 224 can be operatively and communicatively coupled to thefirst release device 218, the second release device 220, the powersource 222, sensors 240, the communication device 246, and the lightdevice 226. The communication device 246 can include at least one of aswitch 271, a keypad 273, a display 250, an input/output port 277, and awireless transceiver 279. As discussed further below, the inhalationdevice control system 200 can measure substance usage in ways other thanusing a flow sensor or a pressure switch.

The first release device 218 and the second release device 220 canrelease a first substance from the first cartridge 214 and a secondsubstance from the second cartridge 216 using, for example, heat and/orvibration. A temperature sensor 291 located on the second cartridge 216can be used to detect the temperature of the second cartridge 216. Thecontroller 224 can estimate an amount of substance released by thesecond cartridge 216 based on temperature information from thetemperature sensor 291, along with information from timer 248. Avibration sensor 292 located on the second cartridge 216 can be used todetect the agitation of the second cartridge 216. The controller 224 canestimate an amount of substance released by the second cartridge 216based on agitation information from the vibration sensor 292, along withinformation from timer 248. A current sensor 293 located on the powerfeed to the first release device 218 can be used to determine thecurrent used by the first release device 218. The controller 224 canestimate an amount of substance released by the first cartridge 214based on current information from the current sensor 293. Alternatively,a voltage sensor can be used.

In another embodiment, a current sensor 294 located on the power feedfrom power source 222 can be used to estimate the current used by thefirst release device 218 and second release device 220. The controller224 can estimate an amount of substance released by the first cartridge214 and the second cartridge 216 based on current information from thecurrent sensor 294. Alternatively, a voltage sensor can be used. Inanother embodiment, a light sensor 295 located in proximity to lightdevice 226 can be used to estimate the usage of the first release device218 and second release device 220. The controller 224 can estimate anamount of substance released by the first cartridge 214 and the secondcartridge 216 based on the amount of time the light sensor 295 isactivated as well as the intensity detected by the light sensor 295.Alternatively, other sensors can be used as is known in the art.Alternatively, sensors 291-295 can be place in various locations as isknown in the art.

An illustrative inhalation device package for the market can be, forexample, a smoking device in a cigarette form that comes with a capacityfor smoking about twenty cigarettes. A factory setting can be preloadedto the smoking device to allow about fifteen puffs per use within fiveminutes, and after the user is done smoking for the time, he or she hasto wait at least 30 minutes before using the device again. A display onthe inhalation device can show the number of cigarette equivalents leftto go, and it can also show the user the number of puffs left to gobefore the current use is expired as he or she use the inhalationdevice. In such a setting, the inhalation device can be programmed tomonitor the usage of the substance contained in a cartridge by measuringthe number of intake, or calculating the quantity of consumption of thesubstance from data collected from timer for the duration of each andevery intake of the air and another sensor such as a electric currentsensor or air flow sensor for the rate of flow of the substance. Thenumber of puffs can then be translated to actual substance used based onthe calculated estimation from the data provided by the timer and thesensor. Also a counter in the system can be used to count the number ofintakes to provide the data to the control means to make calculationsimpler. The user may use a button or a dial to change the factorysettings such as the number of puffs allowed per use (e.g., from fifteenpuffs setting to twenty puffs) and the duration of off time after theuse before the next use is permitted (e.g., 30 minutes factory settingto 45 minutes or to 15 minutes). There can be one or more buttons ordials on the inhalation device to reprogram the settings for theinhalation device. A first button or dial for setting the off timeduration and a second button or dial for setting a number of puffsallowed per use or other settings depending on the user preference andconvenience.

FIGS. 4 through 8 depict a number of different illustrative embodimentsof the inhalation device. Referring to FIG. 4, a diagram of a firstinhalation device 400 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment isshown. The first inhalation device 400 can include a housing 412, acommunication device 446, and a light device 426. The communicationdevice 446 can include a display 450 and buttons 471 and 472. The firstinhalation device 400 has two separate programming modes. In a firstmode, button 471 can be used to change the limit for a number of puffsallowed per use. In a second mode, button 472 can be used to change theamount of shut off time required before the next use. The display 450can display an indication of a setting. (e.g., “10” “30,” “60,” “120,”“10” “15” “20,” “25”)

Referring to FIG. 5, a diagram of a second inhalation device 500 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The secondinhalation device 500 can include a housing 512, a communication device546, and a light device 526. The communication device 546 can include afirst display 550, a button 571, and a second display 551. The button571 can be used to change the amount of shut off time required beforethe next use. The first display 550 can display an indication of asetting. (e.g., “10,” “30,” “60,” “90”) The second display 551 caninclude lights 552. The lights 552 can indicate the indicating thenumber of cigarette equivalent remaining in the second inhalation device500.

Referring to FIG. 6, a diagram of a third inhalation device 600 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The thirdinhalation device 600 can include a housing 612, a communication device646, and a light device 626. The communication device 646 can include afirst display 650, a button 671, and a second display 651. The button671 can be used to change the amount of shut off time required beforethe next use. The first display 650 can display an indication of asetting. (e.g., “10,” “30,” “60,” “90”) The second display 651 candisplay an indication (e.g., “385”) showing the number of puffs orsubstance quantity remaining or available in the second inhalationdevice 600.

Referring to FIG. 7, a diagram of a fourth inhalation device 700 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The fourthinhalation device 700 can include a housing 712, a communication device746, and a light device 726. The communication device 746 can include afirst display 750 and a dial 771. The dial 771 can be implemented aspart of the housing 712. For example, a bezel of the dial 771 can belocated at a filter area of the housing 712. The housing 712 can includegraduation markings (e.g., “10,” “30”) near the dial 771. The dial 771can be used to change the amount of shut off time required before thenext use. The first display 750 can display an indication (e.g., “20”)showing the number of cigarette equivalents remaining or available inthe fourth inhalation device 700.

Referring to FIG. 8, a diagram of a fifth inhalation device 800 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The fifthinhalation device 800 can include a housing 812, a communication device846, and a light device 826. The communication device 846 can include afirst display 850, a button 871, and a second display 851. The button871 can be used to change the usage limit settings by the user. Thefirst display 850 can display an indication of a setting. (e.g., “10,”“30,” “60,” “90”) The second display 851 can display an indication(e.g., “20”) showing the number of cigarette equivalents remaining oravailable in the fifth inhalation device 800.

Referring to FIG. 9, a diagram of a sixth inhalation device 900 inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment is shown. The sixthinhalation device 900 can include a housing 912, a communication device946, and a light device 926. The communication device 946 can include afirst display 950, buttons 971 and 972, and a second display 951. Thesixth inhalation device 900 has two separate programming modes. In afirst mode, button 971 can be used to change the limit for a number ofpuffs allowed per use. In a second mode, button 972 can be used tochange the amount of shut off time required before the next use. Thefirst display 950 can display an indication of a setting. (e.g., “10,”“30,” “60,” “120,” “10,” “15,” “20,” “25”) The second display 951 candisplay an indication (e.g., “20”) showing the number of cigaretteequivalents remaining or available in the sixth inhalation device 900.

One or more flow diagrams may have been used herein. The use of flowdiagrams is not meant to be limiting with respect to the order ofoperations performed. The herein described subject matter sometimesillustrates different components contained within, or connected with,different other components. It is to be understood that such depictedarchitectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many otherarchitectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality.In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the samefunctionality is effectively “associated” such that the desiredfunctionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined toachieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” eachother such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components soassociated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or“operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality,and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewedas being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desiredfunctionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but arenot limited to physically mateable and/or physically interactingcomponents and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interactingcomponents and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactablecomponents.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singularterms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from theplural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as isappropriate to the context and/or application. The varioussingular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sakeof clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, termsused herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of theappended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term“including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term“includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if aspecific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such anintent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence ofsuch recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid tounderstanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of theintroductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claimrecitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed toimply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one suchrecitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or“an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “atleast one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use ofdefinite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, evenif a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitlyrecited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitationshould typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number(e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without othermodifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or morerecitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a conventionanalogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in generalsuch a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the artwould understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one ofA, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have Aalone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where aconvention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, ingeneral such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill inthe art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at leastone of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that haveA alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and Ctogether, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be furtherunderstood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive wordand/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in thedescription, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplatethe possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, orboth terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood toinclude the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed,and modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic cigarette comprising: a firstcartridge comprising a first release device configured to release avariable amount of a first substance in a liquid form; a sensorconfigured to detect an air stream passing through the electroniccigarette; and a controller including an integrated timer, the timerbeing configured to: receive data from the sensor; determine an amountof the first substance released by the first cartridge based on saiddata from the sensor and data from the timer, the timer being configuredto measure an amount of time during which the first release device isactivated; and estimate a remaining amount of the first substance in thefirst cartridge based on the determined amount of the first substancereleased.
 2. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, further comprising adisplay, wherein the controller is further configured to: estimate,based on the estimated remaining amount of the first substance, at leastone of: a number of puffs remaining, a number of cigarette equivalentsremaining, or a number of cigar equivalents remaining; and wherein thedisplay is configured to display an indication of at least one of thenumber of puffs remaining, the number of cigarette equivalentsremaining, or the number of cigar equivalents remaining.
 3. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 2, wherein: the sensor comprises at leastone of a flow sensor, a thermocouple, a pressure sensor, a currentsensor, a voltage sensor, or a light sensor; the first release devicecomprises at least one of a heating element, a vibration generator, anultrasonic transducer, a piezoelectric transducer, or an atomizer; andthe display comprises at least one of a row of light emitting diodes, analphanumeric display, a seven-segment display, or a pixelated display.4. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the housing isconfigured to enable a user to inhale the first substance, and the firstsubstance comprises a liquid drug.
 5. The electronic cigarette of claim1, wherein the first release device is configured to vaporize or gasifythe first substance associated with the first cartridge.
 6. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to control the first release device based on the determinedamount of the first substance.
 7. The electronic cigarette of claim 6,further comprising a second cartridge comprising a second release deviceconfigured to release a second substance, and a housing for housing boththe first and second cartridges, such that the substances released bythe first and second cartridges are released into the housing forinhalation by a user via an outlet of the housing, wherein thecontroller is further configured to: determine an amount of the secondsubstance released by the second cartridge based on the data; andcontrol the second release device based on the determined amount of thesecond substance.
 8. The electronic cigarette of claim 1, furthercomprising a timer, and wherein to determine the amount of the firstsubstance released by the first release device, the controller isfurther configured to determine, using the timer, an amount of time thatthe first release device releases the first substance.
 9. The electroniccigarette of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a timer and thesensor comprises at least one of an air flow switch or a pressureswitch, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine aduration of an activation of at least one of the air flow switch or thepressure switch and to determine the amount of the first substancereleased by the first device using the timer and the sensor.
 10. Theelectronic cigarette of claim 1, wherein to estimate the remainingamount of the first substance, the controller is further configured to:set a first substance limit value, add the determined amount of thefirst substance released by the first cartridge to an accumulated firstsubstance value, and compare the accumulated first substance value tothe first substance limit value.
 11. The electronic cigarette of claim7, wherein the first cartridge is fixably located completely within thehousing.
 12. The electronic cigarette of claim 7, wherein the firstcartridge is rigidly fixed within the housing such that the firstcartridge and the housing are integral.
 13. The electronic cigarette ofclaim 7, wherein the electronic cigarette is configured to allow anairflow to enter the housing through a housing entrance and leave thehousing through a housing exit, and wherein the airflow does not flowthrough the first cartridge.
 14. A method for providing inhalationdevice information for an electronic cigarette comprising a firstcartridge comprising a first substance to be vaporized, a sensorconfigured to detect an air stream passing through the electroniccigarette, and a controller including an integrated timer, wherein thefirst cartridge further comprises a first release device configured torelease a variable amount of the first substance in a liquid form, themethod performed by the controller comprising the steps of: receivingdata from the sensor; determining an amount of the first substancereleased by the first cartridge based on said data from the sensor anddata from the timer, the timer being configured to measure an amount oftime during which the first release device is activated; and estimatinga remaining amount of the first substance in the first cartridge basedon the determined amount of the first substance released.
 15. The methodof claim 14, further comprising: estimating, based on the estimatedremaining amount of the first substance, at least one of: a number ofpuffs remaining, a number of cigarette equivalents remaining, or anumber of cigar equivalents remaining; and displaying an indication ofat least one of the number of puffs remaining, the number of cigaretteequivalents remaining, or the number of cigar equivalents remaining. 16.The method of claim 14, wherein: the sensor comprises at least one of aflow sensor, a thermocouple, a pressure sensor, a current sensor, avoltage sensor, or a light sensor; the first release device comprises atleast one of a heating element, a vibration generator, an ultrasonictransducer, a piezoelectric transducer, or an atomizer; and displayingan indication comprises controlling at least one of a row of lightemitting diodes, an alphanumeric display, a seven-segment display, or apixelated display.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising asecond cartridge comprising a second release device configured torelease a second substance into the housing, wherein the method furthercomprises: controlling the first release device based on the determinedamount of the first substance; determining an amount of the secondsubstance released by the second cartridge based on the data; andcontrolling the second release device based on the determined amount ofthe second substance.
 18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium foran electronic cigarette comprising a first cartridge, the firstcartridge containing a first substance to be vaporized, and comprising afirst release device configured to release a variable amount of thefirst substance in a liquid form, the electronic cigarette furthercomprising a sensor configured to detect an air stream passing throughthe electronic cigarette and a controller including an integrated timer,the non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions storedthereon which, if executed by a computing device, cause the computingdevice to perform operations comprising: receiving data from the sensor;determining an amount of a first substance released by the firstcartridge based on the data from the sensor and data from the timer, thetimer being configured to measure an amount of time during which thefirst release device is activated; and estimating a remaining amount ofthe first substance in the first cartridge based on the determinedamount of the first substance released.
 19. An electronic cigarettecomprising a housing, a first cartridge comprising a first substance tobe vaporized, a sensor configured to detect an activation of theelectronic cigarette and usage of the first substance, and a controllercomprising a timer, wherein the electronic cigarette comprises a firstrelease device configured to release the first substance; the controllerbeing configured to: receive the activation data from the sensor;determine a duration of time during which the sensor is activated,determine an amount of the first substance released by the firstcartridge based on said duration; and estimate a remaining amount of thefirst substance in the first cartridge based on the determined amount ofthe first substance released, wherein to determine the amount of thefirst substance released by the first release device, the controller isfurther configured to determine an amount of time that the first releasedevice releases the first substance.
 20. A method for providinginformation for an electronic cigarette comprising a housing, a firstcartridge comprising a first substance to be vaporized, a sensorconfigured to detect an activation of the electronic cigarette and usageof the first substance, and a controller comprising a timer, wherein theelectronic cigarette comprises a first release device configured torelease the first substance, the method comprising the steps of: thesensor detecting an activation of the electronic cigarette; using thetimer to determine a duration of said activation; determining an amountof a first substance released by the first cartridge based on saidduration; and estimating a remaining amount of the first substance inthe first cartridge based on the determined amount of the firstsubstance released.
 21. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for anelectronic cigarette comprising a housing, a first cartridge comprisinga first substance to be vaporized, a first release device configured torelease the first substance, a sensor configured to detect an activationof the electronic cigarette and usage of the first substance, and acontroller comprising a timer; the non-transitory computer-readablemedium having instructions stored thereon that, if executed by acomputing device, cause the computing device to perform operationscomprising: receiving activation data from the sensor; timing theduration of said activation, determining an amount of a first substancereleased by the first cartridge based on the data; and estimating aremaining amount of the first substance in the first cartridge based onthe determined amount of the first substance released.